Filipino-American star Alohi Robins-Hardy is gearing up for her much-anticipated debut in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) after signing with the Farm Fresh Foxies ahead of the upcoming 2024/25 season. While this signing brought excitement to Farm Fresh fans, it has also sparked controversy among other PVL teams, who raised questions regarding the legality of the move.
HELLO, ALOHI, AGAIN! ✨
— Farm Fresh Foxies (@FarmFreshFoxies) October 22, 2024
We're adding height. We're adding might. Join us in welcoming, a playmaker we missed playing in the local scene, Alohi Robins-Hardy!
Her hiatus is over. And she's ready to start fresh with the #FarmFreshNation.
All together now: ALOHA, ALOHI! 🥛🦊🏐 pic.twitter.com/Ej7JzkscTu
Farm Fresh officially announced the signing of Robins-Hardy on Wednesday, October 23. However, this news has been met with some resistance, as certain teams have flagged potential issues with her eligibility based on league regulations. According to reports, two PVL teams have asked for clarification from the league regarding Robins-Hardy’s signing, citing concerns over technicalities.
A key point of contention lies in the fact that Robins-Hardy has never played in the PVL before. This means her entry into the league should, according to some teams, follow a specific protocol. As per the league's draft regulations, players who have never competed in the PVL are required to go through the Rookie Draft, which took place last July.
One team management official, quoted by The Inquirer, expressed concern, stating:
“We asked the league for a clarification because, according to the rules, players who have played for other leagues but not in the PVL have to go through the draft.”
Robins-Hardy, a prominent volleyball figure with experience in international leagues, did not enter the PVL draft. This has raised questions about whether Farm Fresh's direct signing of her adheres to league rules, making her eligibility to play in the upcoming season uncertain.
The crux of the matter centers around the PVL’s draft regulations, which were introduced when the league gained professional status in 2021. The rules dictate that players who have never played in the PVL, regardless of their experience in other leagues or overseas, must enter the draft before being signed by a team.
According to the draft rules:
“Draft applicants are defined as all female volleyball players, who previously played collegiately, overseas, or in other leagues, but have never played in the PVL since the league’s status became professional back in 2021 until the first conference of 2024. Interested applicants must meet all eligibility requirements before proceeding with the application process.”
This rule aims to ensure fairness and equal opportunities for teams to recruit players. Since Robins-Hardy has yet to compete in the PVL, her signing outside the draft process has left many teams questioning its legality.
In light of these concerns, PVL president Ricky Palou has promised to address the issues raised by team managers. A meeting has been scheduled to discuss not only Robins-Hardy’s eligibility but also several other matters that have surfaced recently.
During the upcoming team managers' meeting, Palou is expected to provide clarification on the rules surrounding trades between sister teams, as well as free agency regulations. One notable issue involves Farm Fresh’s decision to send three players to their sister team ZUS Coffee without an official announcement. This transfer process has also come under scrutiny, as there was no formal declaration of the player movements.
Another concern revolves around Eya Laure, a star player previously with Chery Tiggo, who has been released by the team. However, Laure’s contract reportedly includes a non-compete clause that prevents her from playing for any other PVL team for at least one year. This has sparked debate over the legality of such clauses and how they impact player mobility within the league.
In a media interaction, Palou shared his perspective on the issue:
“We have to look at both the players’ side and that of the teams. All I understand from that right now is that Eya Laure has a live contract. So I will sort things out with Chery Tiggo during our team manager’s meeting, so we can find a solution to everything that will be beneficial both to players and the teams.”
Palou's statement indicates that the league is working toward finding solutions that balance the interests of both players and teams. It is expected that these matters will be fully addressed before the 2024/25 PVL All-Filipino Conference kicks off in November.
As the new season approaches, the PVL must resolve these regulatory concerns swiftly to ensure a smooth start to the conference. Robins-Hardy’s situation will likely serve as a test case for how the league handles future instances where international players seek to join the PVL without going through the draft.
For Farm Fresh, the signing of Robins-Hardy is a major boost to their roster. With her impressive track record as a setter and outside hitter, she could be a game-changer for the Foxies as they aim to compete for the championship. However, the team will have to wait for the league's decision before knowing whether Robins-Hardy will be cleared to play.
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